Athletics-IAAF 'hot on heels' of doping cheats

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Oct 2 (Reuters) A high-powered three-day international symposium organised by the IAAF on the subject of anti-doping ended on an upbeat note today.

IAAF vice-president Arne Ljungvist used the final speech to challenge those who argue that sports administrators are losing the war against doping.

''As someone who has been involved in this fight for the past 35 years I can assure you all the situation is much better now than it was then,'' Ljungvist said.

''Not only have we structured the fight against doping, but we also have general support for what we are doing from the public, the media and from governments, particularly through the foundation of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).

''Having seen the advances we have made in just six years of work on detecting EPO abuse, then I would be very surprised if anyone thinks the scientists helping athletes to cheat are better informed or better equipped than the scientists we are relying on.

''It is often said that we are always a step or two behind the cheats, but I believe we are in fact hot on their heels and may even already be ahead of them.'' His remarks came on the day Interpol announced they were drawing up with WADA a memorandum of understanding to provide a clear framework for co-operation in fighting doping.

''Many athletes are not aware of the consequences of taking performance-enhancing drugs, both legally and physically,'' David Howman, WADA's secretary-general David Howman, was quoted as saying in a statement.

In Lausanne, IAAF council member Abby Hoffman said a general consensus seemed to have been found at the symposium on several issues.

Better and less onerous systems for dealing with missed out-of-competition tests, higher quality control standards in the testing system itself, an effective pursuit of non-athletes who promote doping and stronger co-operation with civil authorities were all areas in which Hoffman felt the organisation still had to improve.

''We must be realistic about the challenges we face and resolute in how we face them,'' Hoffman said.

REUTERS SK KN2250